Saturday Morning Walk

Saturday morning we woke to a continuation of the abnormally mild temperatures. I checked the forecast and saw that would change mid-day, so we jumped in the car and headed for Second Home Nature Center. The little man was clearly as thrilled as I was with the weather and the opportunity to explore. He had great fun throwing leaves and rocks, collecting handfuls of mud-filled acorn caps, and splashing the water with a stick.

Lunchtime Reads

I started this book last week. It's in the same series as two others I read this past fall but with a different cast of characters. While interesting and engaging, I'm finding it less captivating than the other two.

My reading time has taken a hit of late, as I had Monday off from work, Tuesday I went for a short lunchtime walk, and yesterday I went for a long walk because it was so glorious outside. I ended up not getting to do any reading at all because when I came back from my walk I was immediately pulled back into a work task, even though I technically had another 20 minutes left of lunch. Grump. I anticipate another lunchtime walk today unless it starts to rain, so I may not do any reading again. But winter will return soon enough, so I must squeeze in all the walking time while I can.

Valentine's Day is Stupid

Let me tell you, that donut was just an excuse to eat four pounds of frosting. And I enjoyed every morsel. These goodies were courtesy of two fine ladies I work for.

I was managing to maintain a suitable level of indifference about this stupid "holiday" until daycare got on my very last nerve. Yesterday at 1:56 PM they sent a note with the names of the 12 kids in my son's class so we could bring Valentine's for the exchange today. This was the first mention of any such activity and no more detail was provided. So obviously, my poor child showed up empty handed today because I can ONLY shop on the weekends. There is ABSOLUTELY no way around this fact. So I appear to have failed my child when in fact it is daycare that dropped the ball. Thanks for making me look (and feel) like a bad parent, assholes.

And a very Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Favorite Candy

Everyone that knows me or has read this blog knows I have an ENORMOUS sweet tooth. I primarily go for chocolate when I need a sugar fix. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Dove milk chocolates (especially the hearts for Valentine's Day)
2. Cadbury Creme Eggs
3. Guylian Belgian Chocolates (the hazelnut truffle ones shaped like seashells)
4. Lindt Truffles
5. Milka chocolate bars (especially with Oreo cookies)
6. Ghirardelli chocolate squares with caramel
7. Twix
8. Milky Way
9. Reece's Peanut Butter Cups (I have to be in the right mood for these)
10. 3 Musketeers

But don't worry, in a pinch I'll happily eat a couple dozen Hershey's Kisses (or Hugs). Or, you know, anything else made with milk chocolate. Keep that nasty dark shit away from me and don't contaminate my chocolate with nuts. The horror.

Writing prompt courtesy of Kat Bouska at Mama's Losin' It.

Lunchtime Reads

I finished The Vintage Caper yesterday and found it thoroughly disappointing. It was not worth the time or effort to read (or publish?). Oh well, it still counts for my yearly goal, so moving on...



I started a new book today during lunch. It was initially over-whelming with an enormous cast of characters. I still may not have them all sorted out, but before my reading session was over for the day the book got EXTREMELY INTERESTING. My practice is to read books without looking at the back cover, so I don't have to worry about any spoilers. I read the summaries and use the look inside feature to read the first few pages before adding the book to my wishlist, but then books may hang out on the list and in my tbr pile at home for months or years before I crack them open. So I was entirely surprised by the turn of events and am so anxious to get back to the story tomorrow during lunch.

2017 To-Do List: January

Let's review (with comments):

1. Rearrange/clean the family room to make it a usable space 
1. Move books down there to make it a library/family room?
2. Get rid of items we don't use and/or don't like
1. clothes
2. furniture
3. kitchenware
3. Read at least 24 books 3/24 - I finished 3 books in January so I am off to a good start. Hopefully I can keep up this pace throughout the year.
4. Develop a system to ensure bills get paid in a timely fashion
5. Hang wall art
6. Hang some sort of window treatment (curtains? blinds?) in family room
7. Blog at least once a week 4/52 - I have blogged at least once a week for the first four full weeks of the year.
8. Purchase new bras
9. Purchase new underwear
10. Go on a date
11. Go swimming, preferably in a natural body of water
12. Take my son camping in a tent in the woods for at least one night
13. Frame a picture of my son for my desk at work COMPLETED - 1/17/2017
14. Go to the Adirondacks
15. Take my son to the zoo COMPLETED - 1/14/2017
16. Install anti-tip straps on the TV

Not a bad start to the year!